The Alternatives to Zero-Tolerance Working Group develops federal policy recommendations and national action strategies for promoting positive alternatives to zero-tolerance discipline, such as Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, restorative practices, conflict resolution and mediation programs.
Reauthorization of ESEA
The Dignity in Schools Campaign is convening parents, students, educators, researchers, and attorneys who want to see school discipline reform included in the reauthorization of Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the federal government’s main education law – providing federal dollars in return for state and district efforts to meet federal education requirements. Last reauthorized during the Bush administration as No Child Left Behind, the ESEA is currently up for reauthorization.
SAVE THE DATE!
DSC National Teleconference Call on
School Discipline Reform and ESEA Reauthorization
Friday, March 19th
1pm est / 12pm cst / 10am pst
The US House of Representatives is beginning the reauthorization process for ESEA by asking for comments on reauthorization by March 26th. On our March 19 call, the DSC will present our joint recommendations on ways to include school discipline in reauthorization and highlight ways to get involved at both the local and federal levels.
Stimulus Funds and Alternatives to Zero-Tolerance
The federal stimulus bill passed by Congress includes over $100 billion in funding for education and presents an opportunity for states and school districts to invest in school policies and practices that improve school climate and use positive approaches to discipline to keep children in school and improve learning. The DSC has developed advocacy materials and fact sheets on how states and districts can access these funds.
November 2009 - DSC Fact Sheet on Using Race to the Top to Support PBIS
The U.S. Department of Education released the state application for the Race to the Top Fund in November 2009, a $4.35 billion dollar competitive grant program created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus funding.
In response to recommendations from the Dignity in Schools Campaign and other advocates around the country, the final application guidelines include new language encouraging states to support schools in "implementing approaches to improve school climate and discipline, such as implementing a system of positive behavioral supports (PBS)," and to develop data systems that track school climate programs and discipline (see the summary of Major Changes and find more information on Race to the Top).
The attention that Race to the Top pays to school discipline and climate can provide great leverage for state-level advocacy efforts to:
Expand training capacity at the state-level for schools and districts to improve school climate (e.g., PBS, restorative practices),
Push for implementation of approaches like PBS and restorative practices in underperforming schools, and
Collect better state- and district-level data on school discipline and tie it to student and teacher performance.
April 17 - Dignity in Schools Campaign Urges Education Secretary to Improve School Discipline and Achievement Through Stimulus Funds
The Dignity in Schools Campaign, together with 24 organizations and over 40 individuals, submitted a letter to Education Secretary Arne Duncan urging the U.S. Department of Education to encourage school districts to invest federal stimulus money in Positive Behavior Supports (PBS), restorative practices and other innovative approaches to improve student behavior and achievement.
Read the Letter and Press Release.
US Department of Education Stimulus Materials
Positive Behavior Supports: A Wise Investment of Economic Stimulus Funds
A publication of Southern Poverty Law Center and Dignity in Schools Campaign
Available in PDF and MS Word
DSC Tele-conference: How Students with Disabilities Are Being Pushed Out of School, April 7, 2009
This DSC tele-conference call includes a discussion of "How Education Stimulus Dollars Can Be Used to Solve Part of the Pushout Problem"
Listen to the call
Read the powerpoint on Stimulus Funding
Evidence-Based Approaches to Positive School Climate and Discipline
Restorative Practices
Improving School Climate: Findings from Schools Implementing Restorative Practices
Research Report from International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP)
The Transformation of West Philadelphia High School: A Story of Hope
Video from IIRPOther resources from the IIRP:
- Restorative Practice - Summary for Stimulus Advocacy
- Research Fact Sheet on Restorative Practices in Schools
- Research Article on Restorative Practices
- IIRP Training Menu
Examples of Discipline Codes incorporating restorative practices:
- Chicago Public Schools Student Code of Conduct 2008-2009
- Denver Public Schools Student Conduct and Discipline Procedures 2008-2009 and Attachments
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
Overview of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
Powerpoint Presentation by John Gardner, Illinois PBIS Network
From Grassroots to Policy Implementation: School-wide Positive Behavior Support in Los Angeles
Powerpoint Presentation by Nancy Franklin, LAUSDOther resources on PBIS:
Examples of Discipline Codes incorporating PBS:
- Los Angeles Unified School District Discipline Foundation Policy for School-wide Positive Behavior Support
Listen to a recording of the November 2007 DSC tele-conference call:
- How Can We Promote Federal Legislation for Positive Approaches to School Discipline: Discussing the Positive Behavior for Effective Schools Act
In November 2007 the DSC held a tele-conference call to discuss pending federal legislation, the Positive Behavior for Effective Schools Act, that would allow school districts to use federal funds for PBIS and other preventive approaches to discipline. After the tele-conference call, the working group has been working to support the PBESA and other legislative tools to promote positive alternatives.